A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11576, 14 February 1901, Page 4

A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT.

In deciding to make no admissioncharge to the Domain on Saturday next, the Entertainment Committee has removed any criticism that our reception to the Imperial troops is not entirely a public one. Having done so, in the interest of good feeling, and to avoid all ground for dissatisfaction, the Committee has a very powerful claim upon the pennies, sixpences, shillings, and half-crowns — not to mention sovereigns— of all who desire to identify themselves practically with the public greeting to our visitors. ITad a charge been made at the gates as first proposed, all who entered would by that act alone have become entertainers. If that form of collection was unequal there is no possible inequality in an open gate and a voluntary offertory, unless it be made by individuals who refuse to join in the cost of entertaining the troops to the best of their respective abilities. We sincerely hope that all citizens will take active part in the function by contributing some coin, however s"mall, and that the amount collected at the gates will do credit to the public spirit of our city. Late as it is, there is still time for collections to be taken up in workshops and other places, and we would suggest {hat this be generally done. For apart from •the undisguisable fact that it is hardly honourable to allow the expenses to fall almost wholly upon those who have guaranteed against a deficit, we are satisfied that whatever objections may be taken to an admission fee to the Domain, the great majority of all classes would really like to bear some small share of the cost of hospitality. And we must recollect' that when crowds are pressing through gateways is not always the most convenient moment to volunteer a shilling.